Brazil’s JBS to resume slaughtering at six idle beef units next week

São Paulo/Reuters – The world’s largest meatpacker JBS SA will next week resume slaughtering at six out of 10 beef processing units after sending workers on temporary leave earlier this month, the company said in a statement on Thursday.

Another four units will restart operations on May 2 after “reforms, operating adjustments and the modernization of equipment” is concluded, the company said.

When the plants were shut, JBS said workers would be put on leave for 20 days, extendable for another 10.

Shares rose 0.3 per cent in early morning trading, to 10.17 reais, at the São Paulo Stock Exchange.

On April 24, JBS will resume operations at Nova Andradina, Senador Canedo, Alta Floresta, Juína, Pedra Preta and Tucumã. On May 2, JBS will be slaughtering again at Lins, Anastácio, Naviraí and Diamantino, the statement said.